Bucks ranked 4th in East and other 2018 GM survey results

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of Team Stephen blocks a shot during the NBA All-Star Game 2018 at Staples Center on February 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Pool/Getty Images)

The annual NBA GM survey results have been released by NBA.com and the Milwaukee Bucks make a number of appearances in the poll.

Every year, NBA.com conducts a survey of the general managers around the league. They vote on just about everything from predictions to offseason moves to rule changes and have been doing so since 2006. This year, the Milwaukee Bucks made more than a few appearances.

The top team prediction that stands out is the Bucks being ranked fourth in the Eastern Conference. They received three percent of the votes for second, seven percent of the votes for third and 47 percent of the votes for fourth. This would be a nice step up from their seventh seed last season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo was one of the only individual Bucks’ player to appear on the poll. He received votes for the 2018-19 Kia MVP award. The biggest eye-opener, however, was that he received the largest percentage of votes (30 percent) for the player GMs would choose to start a franchise with. Anthony Davis (23 percent), Kevin Durant (20 percent) and LeBron James (17 percent) were all behind him.

Antetokounmpo’s versatility was also highlighted in the voting. He received three percent (third-most) of the votes for best small forward, 10 percent (fourth-most) of the votes for the best power forward and also received votes for being the best center in the league. Continuing on, he received votes for being the best perimeter defender, the most versatile defender AND the most versatile player.

The love continued for the Greek Freak, as he also received an overwhelming majority, 73 percent, of the votes for the best international player in the NBA. Kristaps Porzingis was way behind him with 10 percent of the votes. Oh, and he also received the second most votes (13 percent) for being the most athletic player.

Brook Lopez was the only other individual to appear. He received votes for the most underrated player acquisition in the offseason.

Obviously, the love was there for Antetokounmpo and the Bucks as a team. They are hoping to move into the 50-win category this season and will need other players to step up as well. Let’s see if these predictions can come true.